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Transport, travel and motoring

Abandoning a boat

If you have to abandon your boat:

  • Make sure that everyone is wearing a personal flotation device (also known as a life jacket) correctly before going over the side. Surviving in cold water is hard enough without having to stay afloat as well.
  • If the boat has a radio, send a distress call. Send off distress flares only if they are likely to be seen – don’t waste your small stock of flares.
  • Activate your emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) if you have one.
  • Don't leave your boat. Most boats involved in incidents don't sink and are more easily seen by search vessels or aircraft than a person in the water. A partially submerged boat can also be used for support.
  • You should generally ignore any impulse to swim ashore. Distances over water usually appear shorter than they actually are. It is always safer to stay with the boat unless you know that land is within comfortable swimming distance. Remember that the combination of your heavy clothing, cold water and the stress of the incident can reduce your normal swimming ability.
  • Huddle together to reduce heat loss. Avoid excessive physical activity such as swimming, as this will increase body heat loss.

 


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